Gran Torino

Overall I thought the movie was ok.

The racism in the movie didn't bother me as much due to it pretty much being representative of what is out there in the world (not to say everyone is racist, but there are racist people out there).

There was some stereotyping, but it worked for the story and the POV of the MC who was a racist.

I liked how the character was true to himself. Being an army brat and living all over the US, i've met ALOT of people like Clint Eastwood's character so for me, this film had a lot of truth in it.

I thought it was a decent film with a good independant feel to it. I'd probably give it a 7.5 out of 10.

But I can definitely see how some would be turned off on this film.

Mel...

I liked how it played around with the idea of a racist...I dunnkow, I'd give it an 8.

I enjoyed the movie much more than I thought I would, and I realized that a bunch of what kept my interest was what Clint Eastwood brought to the role. He’s made a whole string of gun-toting and ass-kicking movies, so when I saw his character getting crossways with the local thugs and getting the guns out, I kept waiting less to see what would happen, but when. After all, Eastwood brought to the role a pile of expectations based upon all of his past movies, all of which colored my perception of his character in ways that, say, having an unknown in the role would not. And though the ending wasn’t absolutely unexpected, given the state of his character’s health, it seemed perfectly appropriate as both a redemptive and multiply salvific move on his part.

Racism in that movie … clunky here, forced there, and striking for much of its artificiality, but it seemed more like crusty sumbitch banter than something meant to depict deeply held feelings of hatred, at least in Eastwood’s character.

SPOILER ALERT, of course:



Good things:

- Clint Eastwood, obviously. This character is tailored for him.
- The characterization of Clint's character. I know people like him, and they give him a lot of depth -- he IS a racist but not because he's an evil person. Just how he was brought up. The whole thing about Korean War, etc. but to have him come around and become friends with bunch of "goons" is remarkable.
- The theme of prejudice and redemption, of second chances, relationships, etc.
- The ending is logical and emotional potent; I didn't quite expect it but thought it was the right ending
- the young Hmong characters are likable, especially the young woman

Bad things:
- the acting, especially from the young Asian cast, is spotty at best, amateurish at worse. But that's the problem when the try to be authentic by hiring real Hmong actors
- the racism stuff is rather superficial, stereotypical and forced
- becomes melodramatic by the end
- the plot is rather predictable (except the climax) -- we pretty much know where it's going from the first act...
- the ending would have been stronger if he hadn't discovered the illness... I think right now it's just too convenient. Granted, he did make the sacrifice, but it's a little dampened by the fact that he's sick. The redemption would be every better if he weren't sick.

I'm confused...

If Eastwood's character was well done, with the racist/not evil dynamic going on, then how is the racism poorly done?

Zoombie said:

I'm confused...

If Eastwood's character was well done, with the racist/not evil dynamic going on, then how is the racism poorly done?

Click to expand...

Clint's character's racism is fine, but the rest of the stuff is stereotypical and poorly done. They don't need the extremes and melodramas to bring out the issue of racism.

In fact, Clint's not defined by his racism and that's great. He treats everyone like crap, even his own family. So it's not like he only hates ethnic minorities. That's why his character is more rounded. But the other characters are more 2D.

Ooooh, I get it now.

Good film.

I agree with all your points maestrowork, except that I do believe that the over the top racism was almost needed in this film. There are a few instances where it felt forced, but I think a more subtle approach would have detracted from the building tension throughout the movie, that led up to the climatic ending. Now do not get me wrong, there is a line that can be crossed where the racism does take front stage and takes over a film, and for some this line may have been crossed. So this is probably subjective, depending on the viewer’s upbringing and beliefs. I think that those of us who have witnessed racism in one form or another were not as shocked as some watching this film. Those that have been fortunate enough not to witness racism in their lifetime probably were taken aback a lot more that the rest.